Collision-actuated circuit breaker



ay 13, 1969 J. F. CULP 3,443,658

COLLISION-ACTUATED CIRCUIT BREAKER Filed Sept. 12. 1966 8 f 9 LL. LO

8 m 9 LL. 2 L31 L1. 13

L z 2 Q INVENTOR JOHN F. CULP ATTORNEYS States Patent US. Cl. 180-96 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The collision-actuated circuit breaker includes movably mounted front and rear bumpers having plungers attached thereto. The plungers are connected to a flexible cable which is operatively connected to a switch. Guide means guide the flexible cable so that movement of the plunger means exerts a pull on the cable to operate the switch upon impact of the bumper with an obstacle. The switch electrically disconnects the power source from the electrical circuit of the vehicle. Side sensing strips, constituting side bumpers and including plunger means, likewise are connected by a flexible cable to the switch and operate to disconnect the power source when the vehicle sulfers side impact.

This invention relates generally to improvement in a collision-actuated circuit breaker, and in particular to a circuit breaker that cuts off the source of the power in the electrical circuit of an automobile, and hence eliminates the risk of fire that might otherwise be caused by damaged electrical wiring igniting gasoline vapors after an accident.

Manual disconnection of the wiring system in an automobile, however much desirable, is often impossible because of the incapacity of the operator or his inability to respond by reflex action to the urgency of the moment. In many cases the operator might very simply be unaware of the danger.

The need for an automatic de-energizing of the automobile electrical system is fairly clear. However, such devices which have made their appearance have met with indilferent success. In part, this is because such devices have essentially been designed to turn off only the ignition system and generally do not disconnect the other circuitry which, in sophisticated modern automobiles, may very well be considerable, e.g., electric doors, seats, etc., as well as lighting.

It is the principal object of this invention to disconnect the vehicular electrical circuitry in toto rather than merely switch off only the ignition system automatically.

It is an important object to provide a collision-actuated circuit breaker system which operates on impact with either the front bumper or the rear bumper or both.

Yet another important object is to provide sensing strips, preferably below the doors, on the sides of the vehicle so that an impact on the vehicle sides triggers the switching means to cut off the power source.

An important object is the provision of a flexible cable, pulley and leverage system providing mechanical means of cutting olf the power when the vehicle is involved in a collision.

It is an important object to provide a plurality of eyes longitudinal of the vehicle body, attached to the vehicle frame and forming a cable guidance system.

Another important object is to provide plunger rods inwardly projecting from a sensing strip attached to each 3,443,658 Patented May 13, 1969 "ice side of the vehicle, at least one rod of each sensing strip being attached to a cable guidance eye at its extremity such that impact on the sensing strip depresses the plunger rod and causes movement of its eye relative to adjacent cable guidance eyes, resulting in an effective shortening of the flexible cable and the consequent triggering of the circuit breaker switching means.

It is yet another important object to provide a pressure adjustment means within the switching means such that the collision impact required to trip the means may be predetermined.

An important object is to provide a circuit breaker that is simple and durable in construction, economical to manufacture, efiicient in operation and which can readily be adapted for automobile or other vehicle use.

The foregoing and numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will more clearly appear from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment, particularly when constructed in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the circuit breaker system;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view as taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1, illustrating the switching means;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary view of the cable guidance system and plunger-actuating means, and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary view, similar to FIG. 3, but showing the position of component parts after impact.

Referring now by characters of reference to the drawings and first to FIG. 1, it will be understood that the frame 10 is intended as a representation of a typical automobile frame although, of course, the invention is not restricted to an automobile. However, for convenience of description, the circuit-breaking system will be considered with respect to this usage.

A front bumper 11 is movably mounted on the frame 10 by means of two plungers 12 and 12a that are rigidly attached to the bumper 11 and which are slidably received by cylinders 13 and 13a. The diameter of the plungers 12 and 12a is reduced for part of their length within the cylinders 13 and 1311 respectively to accommodate springs 14 and 14a. The springs 14 and 14a tend to urge the plungers 12 and 12a outwardly of the cylinders 13 and 13a, and to hold the bumper 11 in the fully extended position. The plungers 12 and 12a are provided with T-shaped ends 15 and 15a respectively to limit the outward movement of the plungers.

Attached to the T-shaped ends 15 and 15a of each plunger 12 and 12a respectively is a laterally extending eye-bolt 16 and 16a. The eye-bolt 16 forms a point of attachment for a flexible cable 17 which is routed over pulley 20, through guide eye 21 and over pulley 22, and thence attached to a lever arm 41 of the switching means generally indicated by 40. The eye-bolt 16a forms a point of attachment for a flexible cable 18 which is routed over pulley 20a, passed through eye 21a and through the series of eyes 23a and 24a, passed over. upper pulley 25 of the two pulleys 25 and 26 and passed over the upper pulley 27 of the two pulleys 27 and 28, passed through the series of eyes 23 and 24, and thence connected to the lever arm 41 of the switching means 40. The pulleys and eyes constitute guide means.

It will be understood that inward movement of the bumper 11 will cause a pull in either flexible cable 17 or 18 or both with a resultant swinging movement of the lower part of the lever 41. Because lever 41 is pivoted at 42, the upper lever part swings in the opposite direction and releases crossbeam 43. A tension spring 44 induces a downward pull at the left-hand end of crossbeam 43, which is pivoted at 45, and rotates the crossbeam 43 counterclockwise, causing the disconnection of an adjusting thumbscrew 46 with the terminal 47 of a battery 48, and cutting off the power source.

The plungers, flexible cables, pulleys, eye-bolts and guide eyes constitute connection means operatively interconnecting the front bumper 11 with the switching means 40.

The automobile electrical system includes an electrical circuit 38 having a variety of different loads generally indicated by numeral 39, such as the ignition, electric doors and seats, lights and the like. This electrical circuit is operatively connected to the terminals of and energized by the battery 48 constituting the primary power source.

A rear bumper 50 is movably mounted on the frame by means of two plungers 51 and 51a that are rigidly attached to the bumper 50 and which are slidably received by cylinders 52 and 52a. The diameter of the plungers 51 and 51a is reduced for part of their length within the cylinders 52 and 52a respectively to accommodate compression springs 53 and 53a. The compression springs 53 and 53a tend to urge the plungers 51 and 51a outwardly of the cylinders 52 and 52a and tend to hold the bumper 50 in the fully extended position. The plungers 51 and 51a are provided with T-shaped ends 54 and 54a respectively to limit the outward movement of the plungers. As is illustrated and described, the mounting of the rear bumper 50 is similar to the mounting of the front bumper 11.

Attached to the T-shaped ends 54 and 54a of each plunger 51 and 51a respectively is a laterally extending eye-bolt 55 and 55a. The eye-bolt 55 forms a point of attachment for a flexible cable 30 that is passed over the lower pulley 28 of the two pulleys 27 and 28, and is thence connected to the other flexible cable 18 at a point between the pulley 28 and the adjacent guide eye 23. The flexible cable 30 is operatively connected to the switching means 40 through the flexible cable 18.

The eye-bolt 55a forms a point of attachment for a flexible cable 31 which is routed over the lower pulley 26 of the two pulleys 25 and 26, and is operatively attached to the flexible cable 18 along the length between the pulleys 26 and 28. Consequently, the flexible cable 31 is operatively connected to the switching means 40 through the flexible cable 18.

The pulleys 26 and 28, the flexible cables 30 and 31, in combination with the flexible cable 18 and its co-acting guide eyes 23-23a and 24-24a constitute guide means operatively interconnecting the bumper 50 with the switching means 40.

It will be understood that inward movement of the bumper 50 will cause a pull in either flexible cable 30 or 31 or both with a resultant pull in the attached flexible cable 18. As described previously with respect to the operation of the front bumper 11, when the flexible cable 18 is pulled, the cable 18 will swing the lever 41 and release the crossbeam 43. The tension spring 44 rotates the crossbeam 43 and disconnects the thumbscrew 46 from the battery terminal 47, whereby to cut off the power source.

From the above-described structural arrangement, it will be apparent that when either one or both of the bumpers 11 and 50 is depressed, as by an impact at any point along its length, the associated plungers will exert a pull on either one or both of the flexible cables 17 or 18 so as to trip the lever 41, and consequently disconnect the power source from the electrical circuit.

Mounted to the opposite sides of the vehicle body,

representatively illustrated by 56, is a side sensing strip 57 constituting a bumper. The mounting of the sensing strips 57 and their operation are identical so that a detailed description of one will suflice for the other. Wherever possible, corresponding reference numerals will be used to identify corresponding parts. In some instances, the suffix letter a will be utilized.

A connection means operatively interconnects the side sensing strip 57 with the switching means 40. This connection means includes a plurality of plunger rods 60 having one end fixed to and carried by the sensing strip 57 and the vehicle body 56. These plunger rods 60 are slidably mounted in the frame 10 and extend in a direction laterally transverse to the longitudinal length of flexible cable 18 extending along the side of frame 10 through the coacting guide eyes 23 and 24. Fixed to the other end of each plunger rod 60 is a guide eye 24. It will be noted that the guide eyes 23 adjacent each side of the guide eye 24 are fixed to the frame 10. When any plunger rod 60 is moved inwardly, its associated guide eye 24 carries and displaces the flexible cable 18 laterally, thereby exerting a pull on the cable 18 that causes a rotation of the lever 41 and causes a resultant opening of the switching means 40.

When either or both sides of the vehicle body 56 is struck with sufficient impact to cause a denting of such body at any point along the body length, the sensing strip 57 will be depressed so as to cause one or more of the plunger rods 60 to move inwardly from the position shown in FIG. 3 to the position shown in FIG. 4. As the plunger rod 60 is depressed, its associated guide eye 24 displaces the flexible cable 18 laterally and exerts a pull on the cable 18 that effectuates an opening of the switching means 40 so as to disconnect the battery 48 operatively from the electrical circuit.

It is thought that the operation and functional advantages of the present collision-actuated circuit breaker system has become fully apparent from the foregoing detailed description of parts, but for completeness of disclosure, such usage will be briefly described. It will be understood that the front bumper 11 and rear bumper 50 extend the entire width of the vehicle, while the side sensing strips 57 extend substantially the entire length of the vehicle body between the front and rear bumpers. Therefore, if the vehicle is in a collision, an impact at any area about the body periphery will be exerted on one of the bumpers, either the front, rear or side bumpers, so that the circuit breaker system will be actuated.

Upon impact with the front bumper 11, the plungers 12 and 12a will be depressed against the loading of springs 14 and 14a. The plunger 12 will exert a pull on its associated cable 17, tending to rotate the lever 41 in a direction to open the switching means 40. Simultaneously, the plunger 12a will exert a pull on the cable 18 for the same purpose.

Upon impact with the rear bumper 50, the plungers 51 and 51a will be depressed against the loading of the compression springs 53 and 53a. The plunger 51 will exert a pull on the cable 30 and consequently on the attached cable 18 so as to rotate the lever 41 and open the switching means 40. Simultaneously, the plunger 51a will exert a pull on the cable 31 and consequently on the attached flexible cable 18 for the same purpose.

Upon impact with either one or both of the side sensing strips 57, one or more of the plunger rods 60 will be depressed inwardly so as to displace the cable 18 laterally and exert a pull on such cable 18 that causes a rotation of the lever 41, and causes an opening of the switching means 40.

Although the invention has been described by making detailed reference to a single preferred embodiment, such detail is to be understood in an instructive, rather than in any restrictive sense, many variants being possible.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a collision-actuated circuit breaker system in a vehicle (a) a movably mounted bumper,

(b) an electrical power source,

(c) an electrical circuit connected to the power source,

(d) switching means in the electrical circuit,

(e) connection means between the movably mounted bumper and the switching means,

(f) the switching means electrically disconnecting the power source from the electrical circuit on bumper impact,

(g) the connection means including plunger means operatively attached to the movably mounted bumper and movable therewith,

(h) the connection means including a flexible cable operatively connecting the plunger means and switching means,

(i) guide means guiding the flexible cable whereby movement of the plunger means exerts a pull on the cable to operate the switching means,

(j) the said bumper being mounted at one end of the vehicle,

(k) a sensing strip constituting another bumper mounted on one side of the vehicle,

(1) the connection means is between the side sensing strip and the switching means, and

(m) the switching means electrically disconnecting the power source on impact with any bumper.

2. In a collision-actuated circuit breaker system in a vehicle (a) a movably mounted bumper,

(b) an electrical power source,

(c) an electrical circuit connected to the power source,

(d) switching means in the electrical circuit,

(e) connection means between the movably mounted bumper and the switching means,

(f) the switching means electrically disconnecting the power source from the electrical circuit on bumper impact,

(g) the connection means including plunger means operatively attached to the movably mounted bumper and movable therewith,

(h) the connection means including a flexible cable operatively connecting the plunger means and switching means,

(i) guide means guiding the flexible cable whereby movement of the plunger means exerts a pull on the cable to operate the switching means,

(j) the said bumper being mounted at one end of the vehicle,

(k) a sensing strip constituting another bumper mounted on one side of the vehicle,

(1) connection means between the side sensing strip and the switching means,

(m) the switching means electrically disconnecting the power sources on impact with any bumper,

(n) the connection means between said side sensing strip and the switching means includes other plunger means operatively attached to the side sensing strip,

(0) the connection means between the side sensing strip and the switching means including a flexible cable operatively connecting the other plunger means of said side sensing strip with the switching means,

(p) the guide means guiding the flexible cable including a plurality of eyes, at least one eye being movable relative to adjacent eyes and relative to the initial alignment of the flexible cable, and

(q) the plunger means operatively attached to the side sensing strip including at least one rod attached to the side sensing strip and to the movable eye, the displacement of said movable eye relative to adjacent eyes causing an effective shortening of the cable and a consequent tripping of the switching means when the rod is depressed under impact upon the side sensing strip.

3. In a collision-actuated circuit breaker system in a vehicle:

(a) a movable mounted bumper,

(b) an electrical power source,

(c) an electrical circuit connected to the power source,

(d) switching means in the electrical circuit,

(e) connection means between the movably mounted bumper and the switching means,

(f) the switching means electrically disconnecting the power source from the electrical circuit on bumper impact,

(g) the connection means including plunger means operatively attached to the movably mounted bumper and movable therewith,

(h) the connection means including a flexible cable operatively connecting the plunger means and switching means,

(i) the said bumper being mounted at the front of the vehicle,

(j) a substantially similar bumper mounted at the rear of the vehicle,

(k) a sensing strip constituting another bumper mounted on at least one side of the vehicle,

(1) connection means between the rear movably mounted bumper and the switching means,

(m) connection means between the side sensing strip and the switching means,

(11) the switching means electrically disconnecting the power source on impact with the side sensing strip, and the switching means electrically disconnecting the power source on impact with the rear bumper,

(o) the connection means between the rear bumper and the switching means, and the side sensing strip and the switching means includes plunger means operatively attached to said rear bumper and said sensing strip,

(p) the said last mentioned connection means also including a flexible cable,

(q) means guiding the flexible cable in the connection means for the front and rear bumpers and side sensing strips including a plurality of eyes, at least one eye being movable relative to adjacent eyes and relative to the initial alignment of the flexible cable, and

(r) the plunger means operatively attached to the side sensing strip including at least one rod attached to the side sensing strip and to the movable eye, the displacement of said movable eye relative to adjacent eyes causing an effective shortening of the cable with a consequent tripping of the switching means when the rod is depressed under impact with the side sensing strip.

4. In a collision-actuated circuit breaker system in a vehicle:

(a) a sensing strip carried by one side of the vehicle,

(b) an electrical power source,

(c) an electrical circuit connected to the power source,

(d) switching means in the electrical circuit,

(e) connection means between the sensing strip and the switching means,

(f) the switching means electrically disconnecting the power source from the electrical circuit on impact with the sensing strip,

(g) the connection means including plunger means operatively attached to the sensing strip and movable therewith,

(h) the connection means including a flexible cable operatively connecting the plunger means and switching means, and

(i) guide means holding and directing the flexible cable, the guide means including a pair of spaced cable holders, and

(j) the plunger means including a movably mounted rod operatively interconnecting the sensing strip with the cable, the rod being disposed between the cable holders, the rod extending transversely to the cable 7 8 length, and the rod laterally displacing the cable be- 1,686,536 10/1928 Schauman 180'--96 tween the cable holders to shorten the cable effec- 2,511,959 6/1950 Williams 180-96 tively and to trip the switching means when the rod is depressed under impact upon the side sensing strip. FOREIGN PATENTS 5 1,098,848 3/1955 France. References Cited A ARRY LEVY P I E UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,755,207 4/ 1930 Comiskey 180-94 US. Cl. X.R.

956,952 5/1910 Emden et a1. 180-96 2 0-- -44 1,682,731 9/1928 Austin 180-96 l 

